Job offer: Assistant Attorney General - Legal Services Unit

OrganisationMinistry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign TradeReferenceVAC-54438Contract TypeFull-TimeIndustriesLegalLocationKingstonSalary & Benefits$7,716,512 - $10,377,851 per annumDate Posted16/10/2024Expiry Date06/11/2024Conducts legal research, provides guidance on international law, drafts agreements, supports legislative processes, represents the Ministry, and contributes to strategic planning, reports, and presentations.

 

Job Purpose

Under the general direction and management of the Senior Assistant Attorney General, the Assistant Attorney-General provides advice and guidance on a range of legal matters to support the work of the Minister, Minister of State and Permanent Secretary in the strategic management of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. 

 

Key Responsibilities

Technical/Professional: 

• Conducts a range of complex legal research to provide legal guidance and support in furtherance of the mission-critical functions of the Ministry and its subjects; 
• Prepares written opinions and advice on a range of complex legal matters impacting the Ministry, including overseas missions; 
• Provides legal support to the Ministry during all aspects of the legislative process, commencing at the development of the policy; 
• Provides legal advice on all areas of International Law including trade (WTO, CSM, FTAs), environment, human rights, air policy and law, Law of the sea (maritime delimitation, international seabed authority), international security issues (extradition, mutual legal assistance, drug/arms and human trafficking, terrorism, corruption) intellectual property law, and the Law of international organizations; 
• Provides support in the review, negotiation, drafting and implementation of bilateral, regional and international agreements; 
• Prepares, assists, reviews and amends legal documents or instruments required by the Ministry; 
• Liaises with Ministries, Departments and Agencies, and regional and international organizations, in relation to various international law matters; 
• Responds to queries or provides information, as necessary or required; 
• Assists in preparing, collating and executing Affidavits and other evidentiary matters in litigation involving the Ministry; 
• Reviews and advises on legal implications of internal policies and procedures, and participates in internal Committees, as directed; 
• Represents the Ministry by participating on Committees and attending meetings locally and internationally, as directed; 
• Remains current on GOJ policies/initiatives in an effort to add value and inform decision making; 
• Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, maintaining membership in professional organizations and participating in AGC initiatives. 

Management/Administrative: 

• Contributes to the development of the LSU’s Strategic and Operational Plan and Budget;
• Develops Individual Work Plans based on alignment to the Unit’s Plan; 
• Participates in meetings, seminars, workshops and conferences, as required; 
• Prepares reports and other documents, as required; 
• Prepares and delivers presentations, as needed. 

Human Resources: 

• Participates in the evaluation and monitoring of staff performance and implements appropriate strategies; 
• Participates in the co-ordination of Work Plans and recommends performance targets for the staff assigned; 
• Participates in the training of staff of the Unit; 
• Identifies skills/competency gaps and contributes to the development and succession planning for the LSU, to ensure adequate staff capacity; 
• Participates in the preparation and implementation of presentations on the role of Unit for the Orientation/Onboarding Programme of the Ministry; 
• Contributes and maintains a harmonious working environment; 
• Performs any other related duties that may be assigned from time to time by the Senior Assistant Attorney-General and respective senior executives in the Ministry. 

 

Required Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

Core: 

• Excellent interpersonal and team management skills; 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; 
• Strong leadership skills; 
• Strong customer relations skills; 
• Excellent planning and organizing skills; 
• Excellent judgment and decision-making skills; 
• Ability to influence and motivate others; 
• Proficiency in the use of relevant computer applications. 

Technical: 

• Excellent legal research and analytical skills; 
• In-depth and extensive knowledge of the Laws of Jamaica and the broad field of Public Law or practice relating to Public International Law; 
• Highly developed knowledge of the mandate, objectives, strategies, policies and environment of the Ministry; 
• Ability to analyse and interpret changes in the economic, political and social environment, and the legal implications to the operations of the GOJ; 
• Excellent written and verbal communication, including presentation skills and the ability to communicate legal information in a manner which can be understood by decision-makers and users; 
• Ability to exercise sound judgement and convictions of purpose in unfavourable or unpopular situations; 
• Negotiation/facilitation skills and experience; 
• An excellent understanding of the machinery of government, including particularly the Jamaican context and the current challenges facing the GOJ; 
• Good strategic and analytical skills to enable them to advise on complex issues;
• Good organisational and personal leadership: the ability to orchestrate strategic outcomes; the ability to lead collaboratively and manage significant change in large and complex organisations; the ability to manage and engage high-performing top teams that deliver within a budget, in a complex environment; 
• Ability to create commitment to a strong and consistent customer service philosophy;
• Energy and resilience; the personal capacity to see the bigger picture and be able to navigate obstacles, ambiguity and change; 
• Advanced IT skills in relation to Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and MS Project and associated legal software; 
• Excellent knowledge of the English legal system and the legal framework of Government. 

 

Minimum Required Qualification and Experience

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Degree; 
• Legal Education Certificate; 
• Six (6) years progressive experience at the Bar; 
• Postgraduate qualification in International Law or International Trade or experience in International Law would be an asset. 

 

 

 

 

Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.